It's Official: Glee Casts American Idol's Jessica Sanchez - Who Will She Be Playing?

It’s a done deal: Jessica Sanchez, whose monster pipes and near-perfect pitch carried her all the way to a second-place finish on Season 11 of American Idol, has closed a deal to recur on Glee, TVLine has learned exclusively.

There are no details on what role Glee executive producer Ryan Murphy might have in store for the 16-year-old California native or when she will first appear on screen. (Might she be the much-buzzed-about new love interest for Finn?!)

During her Idol run, Sanchez became an early front-runner on the strength of scorching Vegas-round renditions of “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” and “The Prayer,” followed by a spot-on rendition of “I Will Always Love You” on Whitney Houston night. Later, in a Top 7 week shocker, Ryan Seacrest revealed the girl who sometimes performed as her alter-ego Bebe Chez was the lowest vote getter, but the judges promptly vetoed America’s decision by using their sole “save” of the season. Sanchez then went on to steal the show during the Idol finale by virtue of a jaw-dropping duet with Broadway legend Jennifer Holliday on the Dreamgirls classic “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going.”

I love Jessica, she well do well in McKinley. The real freshmen lol! Some idols are threatened that’s why most gleeks are over reacting. Afraid of changes and stop being so immature. Jessica will add up as spice on the show! Yummy!!!

thnx Ryan Murphy & all who appreciate & see real talent. Love Jessica, would love to see her play herself, young sweet high school teen with amazing talent & a huge dream! Go Jessuca, don’t let the negative comments pull you down. There’s always ppl who are short or missing tact & sensitivity with their opinion.I believe in you, you are INcredibly gifted.

To John Walter: You have a good idea! Let FEW HATERS of JS audition on AI just to justify their rudeness to AMAZING JSANCHEZ. If u CANNOT appreciate how talented this kid is, then maybe you have something better than JS. Don’t be shy HATERS. GO AHEAD AND AUDITION FOR YOUR PLACE ON AI. LET SEE IF YOU CAN AT LEAST SING PART OF SONGS THAT JS DID AND BE SURE TO AT LEAST PASS THE AUDITION.